The Classification of Manufacturing Work Processes to Develop Functional Work Clothes - With a Reference to the Automobile, Machine and Shipbuilding Industries -

Abstract

In consideration of the injuries and deaths occurring at manufacturing sites due to the use of inappropriate work clothes or safety devices, this study aims to categorize manufacturing work processes to develop functional work clothes for heavy industries including the automobile, machine and shipbuilding industries in South Korea. Defining the features of the work environments and work postures of these industries provided for a categorization of the work processes which would enable the development of suitable work clothes for each work process' category. The results of the study based on a questionnaire survey are as follows: Work process category 1, including steel panel pressing and auto body assembly, final inspection (in automobile) and inspection (in machine), requires work clothes with upper body and arm mobility and performance to protect from the toxic fume factor. Work process category 2, consisting of welding (in automobile), cutting-and-forming (in machine) and attachment-and-construction (in shipbuilding), requires clothing elasticity, durability and heat and fire resistance. Work process category 3 comprising welding and grinding in the machine and shipbuilding industries, requires work clothes' tear resistance and elasticity, particularly for lateral bending mobility, and work clothes' sleeves' and pants' hemlines with sealed designs to defend against iron filing penetration, as well as incombustible and heat-resistant material performance. Finally, work process category 4, including painting in machine and shipbuilding, requires work clothes with waterproofing, air permeability, thermal performance, elasticity, durability and abrasion resistance.